Mar. 1, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love reacts following a play against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 104-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE
Happy 24th Birthday to Kevin Wesley Love, the All-Star, the captain, the main man, the double-double machine and the future of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kevin Love was drafted into the NBA in 2008 by the Minnesota Timberwolves and despite being on a bad team for most of his short career, his great individual play has allowed not only Minnesota fans to stay positive, but also his teammates and most of all himself as well. Knowing already his capabilities and talents he can bring on the court after two spectacular NBA seasons, Love is just waiting to become even better.
Now 24, let’s look back at Kevin Love’s basketball career and see what are 24 great achievements Love has done in his 4 years in the NBA. Yes, Love has only been in the NBA for four years. Trust me, this list will get pretty full in the coming years:
Mar 10, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) shoots against the New Orleans Hornets during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Hornets won 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-US PRESSWIRE
After playing four years of high school basketball in Oregon, Love holds the record for most points (total) in Oregon boys basketball history with 2,628 points.
Playing for the UCLA Bruins in the NCAA, Love was named to the consensus-first All-American team, Pac-10 Player of the Year and also led the Bruins with 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in his last season as a collegiate athlete.
In 2008, Kevin Love decided to leave UCLA and move on to the professional level in the NBA. In the 2008 NBA Draft in New York, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Love as the 5th overall pick and the franchise and Love himself, would begin a new chapter of their lives.
As a rookie for the Timberwolves, Love finished the season first in rebounds among all rookies, 29 double-doubles, which is the most for any rookie in franchise history, and most of all became the first rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1985 to be lead the league in offensive rebound percentage.
January 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE
In the summer of 2009, Love was invited to try out for the U.S national basketball team in preparation for the 2010 FIBA tournament in Turkey the following year.
In his second year in the NBA, Love was finally selected to compete in the NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge. At the end of that season (2009-2010), Love was named the NBA’s best rebounder per 48 minutes, defeating Dwight Howard and Marcus Camby for that achievement.
Together with other NBA stars, Kevin Love struck gold for the United States during the 2010 FIBA Tournament in Turkey.
During a game against the New York Knicks in the 2010-2011 NBA season, Love recorded 31 points and 31 rebounds and became the 19th player in NBA history to record a 30-30 game. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley was the last player to record 30+ rebounds and it was in 1996. It was the first 30-30 performance the NBA has seen since Moses Malone did it in 1982.
That same season, Love was selected by David Stern to compete in the 2011 NBA All-Star game which was Love’s first All-Star game appearance.
In the 2010-2011 NBA season, Love set the franchise record for most consecutive double doubles with 53 straight surpassing Kevin Garnett’s record after hitting 38 straight. Wow. K-Love fell 2 games short of tying Elvin Hayes’ record for most consecutive double doubles in one season. Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for most consecutive overall with 227 through 3 years.
Kevin Love was awarded the 2010-2011 KIA Most Improved Player Award by increasing his points per game by 6 points and his rebounds per game by 4 rebounds.
The young forward became the first player since Karl Malone in 1983 to average at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in one season.
Mar, 23, 2012; Oklahoma City OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka (9), guard James Harden (13), and small forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena Mandatory Credit: Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE
That same year he was awarded the Most Improved Player in the NBA, the Associated Press officially named Love the face of franchise. Kevin Garnett has been the face of the franchise for quite a long time before being traded to the Boston Celtics.
Love’s Timberwolves jersey is the franchises top selling jersey surpassing Kevin Garnett’s.
During the 2011-2012 NBA Lockout Season, Love had three consecutive 30 point games which is the most in his career and kicked off that season with 15 straight double-doubles.
In a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center, Kevin Love hit his first buzzer beating shot in his NBA career (well if it’s not, that’s easily the most popular shot of Kevin Love). With the game tied at 98 and with 1.5 seconds left, Kevin Love took the inbound pass from teammate Luke Ridnour and drained a three pointer from the top of the arc and silenced the crowd.
Mar. 3, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) signals for a two shot foul after being fouled during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Love scored 42 points as the Timberwolves won the game 122-110. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-US PRESSWIRE
On January 15, 2012 Kevin Love agreed on a four-year contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise. You gotta love him for doing that at least.
Love provided an “upset” during the 2012 All-Star festivities as he defeated well-known shooter Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final round of the 2012 NBA All-Star Three Point Shootout.
Timberwolves franchise player Kevin Love was easily named into the 2012 All-Star Game which is his second consecutive All-Star game appearance.
The 4-year forward would go on to break more records by having the most 30 point games in a single season in franchise history.
In an overtime loss to Oklahoma City Thunder, Love showed us Timberwolves fans and the NBA world just how good he is as he scored a career high 51 points
Last month, Kevin Love was part of the 2012 USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team that went undefeated (as usual) in the 2012 London Olympics and won the gold.
Love is only the third player in NBA history to average more than 25 points per game and also make at least 50 three pointers during an entire season. With that in mind, Love was named to the 2011-2012 All-NBA Second Team.
Last but not least, he’s just a good guy and his personality is the reason why everyone loves Love.
HAPPY 24th Birthday KEVIN LOVE!
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